Cowboys: Jason Witten still iffy; Jay Ratliff gets practice reps

With less than a week before the first game, tight end Jason Witten’s status remains unclear and will likely be a game-time decision.

It’s not much different for nose tackle Jay Ratliff, but at least the four-time Pro Bowler was able to take some practice reps in Monday’s light walkthrough at Valley Ranch.

Ratliff, who suffered a high ankle sprain on Aug. 25, will likely be a game-time decision as well when the Cowboys open the season Sept. 5 against the Giants.

"We're certainly hopeful he'll progress day by day," head coach Jason Garrett said. "He has an ankle injury that's he's trying to come back from. He's certainly a very tough guy, very passionate guy and he loves to play football, so he's going to do everything he can to get himself ready. We'll just take his situation day-by-day."

If Ratliff doesn’t play, the Cowboys will likely get Josh Brent ready to start, but Sean Lissemore could get a few snaps in the middle, too.

As for Witten, who visited the doctor on Tuesday to check on his lacerated spleen injury, he has yet to be cleared to practice. And until that happens, Garrett said Witten’s status won’t change.

“Ultimately it’s a medical decision and we’re going to go off what the doctor says," Garrett said. "I’m going to follow it as the head coach of the team. Jason’s going to follow it as a player on the team. He certainly has a say in it.

"He’s a unique guy. There’s been a lot of times in his career where you say, ‘Wow, he probably can’t play this week' -- and sure enough, he plays a full game, 70 plays on offense and involved in the kicking game. He’s a unique guy. There are a handful of those guys around the league. They tend to come back from injuries quicker than everybody else, but ultimately this is a medical decision and we’ll follow the doctor’s lead.”

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